WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING
for those of you who read jenn’s post on friday, you are aware of the dire situation that another friend of ours is in. at her request, i am anonymously publishing what you find below.
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I catch glimpses of him, sometimes. The man I married. The man I love.
It’s in those moments that I doubt myself. Maybe he really is who I thought he was. Maybe he can be that person again. Maybe there is hope.
But the truth, the ugly and undeniable truth, is that he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
I am the lamb he has been preparing for slaughter.
Separating me from the flock.
Feeding me love and affection laced with strychnine.
Blurring my vision so that I won’t see the beady little wolf eyes watching me as I graze peacefully in the lonely pasture.
But that wolf, with his sharp teeth and matted fur, has gotten careless in his disguise.
I see him. I see what he is.
And what he doesn’t know – what I myself have only just discovered – is that I am no lamb.
I am a Lion.
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Domestic Abuse takes many shapes and forms. It doesn’t have to be physical violence. Isolation, manipulation, control, and psychological intimidation are all forms of abuse.
If you’re a victim of domestic abuse, you’re not alone. There is help.
Please visit Violence Unsilenced or Hot Peach Pages for resources in your area.
15 Responses to WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING
Have a Sip
My friend, I don’t know who you are or what you have been through. But you don’t have to go through it alone. I see this post as reaching out..you are strong., you are beautiful and you are a Lion! My thoughts and prayers are with you! Xoxo
Jodee´s last [type] ..Boo & Chicken
They are masters of manipulation. Showing the side you want to see in them just long enough to make you doubt. To make you stay. To make that part of your heart and mind think “maybe I *can* change him”. You can’t. The only thing you can do is feed that lion within, make her strong, make her fierce, make her brave and prepare for the fight. And on the other end? You will come out of it still a lion, and will never let another wolf near you again.
The time will come. You can do this. When you do, you will feel like you can conquer the world. You were wondering where this part of you was all these years. You *can* do this.
Much love and peace.
I think Helen Reddy said it best in her I Am Woman song
Oh yes I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong
I am invincible
I am woman
PrincessJenn´s last [type] ..Right Now
hugs ~
I have no made it to Jenn’s post yet, but I certainly will!
My strongest thoughts for your friend. May she roar.
Kellee´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday Ooops- an Update Instead
Hugs, love and strength to you.
Lisa´s last [type] ..Maya- at Almost 3
I’m glad you are seeing past the mask and truly seeing the wolf for who he is. You can do this. You are strong. You can emerge braver, even stronger. He’s not the man you married. The man you married was an act. Remember that. You can’t make him change but you *can* (with the help of those who you love and trust) plan your escape and get out. Please stay safe.
Indeed you are a lion and a Mama lion is far worse than her male counterpart. She does the hunting, she cares for her young, and when anything comes between either of the two she will defend herself to the death.
But, you don’t have to do it alone. We are your pride. We are your shield if you will let us be that for you.
Please know that there IS help out there and there are crisis prevention experts who can keep you and your children safe.
Sunday´s last [type] ..Bloggy Boot Camp rocks my worldAGAIN!
Friend, you don’t know me at all, but my heart goes out to you. I am no stranger to what you speak of. I know how your self-esteem has been beaten out of you, how emotional abuse has worn you down. How you doubt yourself, because you can hardly recognise who you are, who you WERE, before you gave huge pieces of your heart and soul to him, so that he could destroy them bit by bit. It sounds crazy, I know, but you are not. I thought I was too. I loved too. I loved with heart and soul. But, looking back, it was never enough, I was never enough in his eyes, but since he’s been gone and I’ve walked this journey since – I’ve re-gained my confidence, little piece, by little piece. I’ve reclaimed the woman I was and am, before that woman was told she was never enough and would amount to nothing. I have learnt to hesitate before I trust, some days I feel I don’t trust and never will at all, but mostly I have come back to life. I have become me again. I wasn’t destroyed, along with his self-destructive choices. I’ve learnt to make my own healthy ones.
I wish you strength, I wish you courage, which you already have. Breathe deeply and take action. You will get through this. You will survive. You will more than survive. You will see with clear eyes again, you will see yourself as worthy again, of much much more than what he is offering you. You are worthy. You deserve to be happy, to be yourself.
Not sure I’m making any sense, but if you want to talk, ever, ask one of the lovely friends that are supporting you here for my email. I will help in whatever way I can. Emotional abuse, verbal abuse. I sometimes think is harder to recognise, because it is subtle, it is hidden, it is cleverly disguised. Seeing through the disguise is the first step. I am here for you. Hugs. Love. xx
Tricia´s last [type] ..Finding My Voice
Friend,
I watch my step sister in an abusive relationship and my best friend is a guardian through the courts for child who are the victims of domestic violence. And by victims, I don’t mean they are always the ones being abused. When parents are abused or abusive, it is CHILD abuse. I have seen too much to mince words or feel sympathy. That may make me mean, but I am sorry. There is only one answer here. LEAVE.
I know that there is great danger in that. I know there is fear. But it can and has been done. There are networks to help. You are not alone. We are all here for you. No matter what he has said, YOU MATTER and YOU DESERVE MORE THAN THIS.
Fight for a better life.
i can completely relate. emotional abuse is devastating and can cause so much damage–mine could have taken my life. praying your friend DOES roar, LOUDLY. i did, and haven’t looked back since!
I wish you strength and love and hope you know how many people are behind you, wordlessly or not.
Mandy´s last [type] ..A Load Of Pics
Abuse- emotional, physical, verbal, or otherwise, is a tricky monster.
YOU ARE NOT DESERVING OF IT.
I’m sending what strength I can.
Fight for yourself, and if we can… let us fight with you.
MommyNaniBooboo´s last [type] ..Hell In A Handbag
Beautiful, inspiring. Dig deep. Everything you’ll ever need is right there. <3
Sabrina´s last [type] ..The day I lost my edge
Prayers for your friend. That is a terrible and scary thing for her. Amazing post as well.
Otter´s last [type] ..Heres Water In Your Eye